New Hope Hardship Fund

The Adams Electric Hardship Fund is a pass-through account of the cooperative's Project Helping Hand fund and is for Co-op members only, with their name on the billing account. Members can receive payment assistance one time per year by completing the requirements of the program, to include the Dollars and Sense class, administered by New Hope Ministries.

New Hope Hardship Fund

Program Overview

In late 2024, the co-op launched a Hardship Fund through New Hope Ministries that allows co-op members to receive assistance once a year as their needs warrant and as funds remain available. Serving our co-op members are New Hope centers in Dillsburg, Dover, Hanover, Littlestown, Mechanicsburg and New Oxford. Coming in early 2026, Spring Grove will also have a site.

“The goal is to help our members struggling financially to get their electric account in good standing, while receiving budgeting assistance,” says Rebecca Witherow, member services coordinator for Adams Electric.

Eligibility

Those receiving assistance must be the co-op member with their name on the electric account, and the funds must go toward a member’s electricity at their primary residence. There are also some restrictions on the fund distribution, such as the member must enroll in the co-op’s Round Up program, which feeds back to PHH, and they cannot use the funds for fees, security deposits or meter tampering charges.

Adams Electric Requirements

1. The guest receiving assistance must be a member of Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc.
2. The assistance must be for the member’s primary residence.
3. Consideration for payment assistance will be extended one (1) time per calendar year.
4. The maximum amount of assistance is up to $500 per calendar year. There will be no carryover funds from year-to-year.
5. Hardship Funds may not be used for security deposits, fees or meter tampering charges.
6. Upon approval for assistance, the member will be enrolled in the co-op’s Round-Up program, if not already enrolled.

Agency Requirements

Co-op members requesting consideration for Hardship Funds shall complete the Dollars & Sense Class provided by New Hope. Dollars and Sense class is a basic money management
course focused on increasing income and decreasing spending.
Applicants must be screened by New Hope during an in-person office visit at a New Hope Ministries participating facility.

Learn more about Project Helping Hand, Adams Electric's Member Assistance Fund.

Find assistance agencies near you.